Evening Star Newspaper, September 4, 1931, Page 2

A—2 %x%% D. . REALTY VALUE. - DECLARED SOUND i Real Estate Board Statement Sees Difference in “Specu- | lative Undertakings.” | | | i Grand Jury Foreméh CHARLES B. FONDA, THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, N JURY'S REPORT Off.:'wjer’s Reinstatement Is| Asi'wd as Others on Force Are Scored. 3 A — __ (Continiyd_From First Page) accused certzf officials of the Police Department. ot graft and corruption. | The grand jurv, declared the charges against the U:4‘'ed States attorney's office to be “fa¥> in their entirety and said it had stantiate in any pa “ticular any of the charges of corrupticd' and graft against any of the officials ¥ partment. The grand jury, how ver. declared it believes as a resuit of (1 e investigation “that there exists in tht Metropolitan Police Department a fa 'se sense of loyalty, supplemented by a Vicious sys- tem of reprisals for those \ 10 tell the truth, that makes it imposs ‘ble for a station:.ry body, such as the ;3 and jury, to secui evidence against tA ° parties who are puilty of initiating, ca ndoning | or co-operating in such a cass as Wwe have investigated.” ¥ A copy of the report is to be ) rans- mitted to the District Commissid and if they follow the grand jA recommendation and reinstate Staj\ es. he will receive back salary amounting\ to f the Police De- | D. C, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1931 \STAPLES CLEARED 15 POLICE INDICTED. | IN BRUTALITY CASE Grand Jury Accuses Men of Using Third Degree on Prisoners. (Cantinued Prom First Page) journed court. The names of those indicted were-not read in court. The ceremonies of reporting the in- dictments were devoid of the spectac- ular and there was no large crowd at the court house to witness the pro- ceedings. Apparently there were no | policemen present in the court room. Perry, Laflin and Mostyn remained in the corridors with Attorney O'Shea and then went directly to the | clerk's office to give bond. Mostyn, | Laflin, Grooms and Burroughs alresdy {are under suspension from the police force. Perry was suspended as .soon as the ipdictment was reported. All the indictments were in cases re- ' garded by Department of Justice in- vestigators as “typical of the third de- gree.” The attacks are alleged to have occurred in the first precinct station house within a space of two days and to have been made in an effort to compel the prisoners to confess to crimes of which they were suspected. Although the attack on Harker is al- tleged to have taken place at an hour when Inspector Louis J. Stoll and Capt. i JAMES A. MOSTYN. approximately $7.000 Staples was elated over the grar\! jury’s findings, and said if he is re- stored to duty h» will be Washington’s model policeman. Cleared of Suspicion. “Naturally I am gratified over the outcome of the grand jury's investiga- tion and the steps it has taken to right N | yea terday afternoon. W. E. Holmes presumably were in -the captain’s office, adjoining the so-calicd third-degree room,” the grand jury had 1o comment to make in that conmec- A on. Stoll and Holmes were questioned jA°t before the grand jury adjourned Indictment Charges Assault. TI indictment in the Harker case GRAND JRY HOLDS FVE N MURDERS iSlayer of Capt. Norman Among 70 Indicted for Various Crimes. Five persons, including. the alleged slayer of Capt. William Frank Norman, | former acsistant to the Attorney Gen- jeral, were charged with first-degree murder today in indictments returmed by the District grand jury. In all more than 70 true bills were returned, the charges varying from murder to joy-riding. The grand i jurcrs refused to indict in 21 cases. Jeseph Henry Degges, colored, forma | dcorman at the Wardman Park Hote: was indicted in the fatal shooting of Capt. Norman, which occurred August 12 in front cf the hotel. The tragedy is said to nive followed a dispute over | the place in which Capt. Norman had | parked his automobile. Norman is said to have slapped the colored man on a previcus occasion. “harged With Taxi Slaying. First degree murder also was charged to Willlam Clinton Robinson, Charles E. Washington and Leonard A. Layton, all colored. They are alleged to have shot to death Mannie Scicmon, a taxi driver, on July 29 at Union and O streets uthwest, police said the men had attempted to hold-up the taxi-driver rand shot him as he attempted to start his cab to drive away. Lajoie A. Cooper, c-lored, also was indicted on a first degree murder charge. He is said to have shot to death Joseph Edwards, also colored, June 30 in an argument over the pay W. C. GROOMES. Foreman of the grand jury which today indicted five policemen on charges|a grievous wrong,” he raid. I feel |recite\ that Detective Most and ment of mcney said to be due him from Eliminated. is in an enviable its real estate tate in respect to its soundness when | I a chain of banks in nearby Maryland Hhing abnormally depressed. If refer- | large building ventures where | ally depressed’ might more properly be lue. nd mortgage holdings ents be identified more specifically S The sound value of Washington real Washington is perhaps i having its real estate values main- Tmve either been handled or are in gn. building and Joan association, have been subjected to any crit.c.sm Business been curtailed or hindered in e Nation's Capital City qeofully financed and sold to the $washington today 1§r the severe criticism of i estate financing business of hington . 1 3The Washington Real Estate Board | me to the defense of Washington real 1 issued the following statement today | rough John A. Petty, its executive scc- | xgmrv: $"While the difficulty being experienced | 3 1§ regretted, it is unfortunate that in g ining the dificulty Washington | al estate values were referred to as ce was made specifically to certaip pes of fArst mortgages secured nn'i ;uhl_v speculative and, in most in- ances, e basis of security was appraisals fch did net reflect either sound values wpr_sound judgment, the term ‘abnor- plied, even though such depreseed lue is in fact a depression of ap- aised value as distinct from sound | ““Furthermore, the soundness of Wash- | gton real est values cannot be ured in terms of the present condi- sculative real estate torprises, ond it i, therefore, impor- nt that the type of real estate invest- hen reference to ‘abnormally depressed’ _ndmcm is made. t Values Held Sound. tate has not only shown no abnormal- 1§ depressed condition, but based on findamental factors that underlie real atate values, the most fortunate city in the country tgined. The instance where improper financing has been carried on, and for \Bhich most of the responsible parties Hrocess of being handled, do not re- foct the general condition in Washing- ton. No Washington bank, trust com- r any local mortgage brokerage house which has confined its activities ex- alusively to the District of Columbia r investigation of any charaster and jther have their capital or the con- ‘;nnrd successful operation of their y manner U1t is to these institutions that seund and constructive upbuilding of 0 o t d the development of scores of T8s Jemtial and busincss communities Rnd literally thousands of homes s ople of Washington bear testimony to this fact. H 1l Forces Rosition in respect to stuation. e T s behind and respons g e Washingten i respect to the financing of ecific properties have e e ficld and the real d sund today confined to reputable and scutces which are not and have not sucd the policies and tactics previ- pur ties s d in by a few. b '}:flo“;‘\‘\?t;n. therefore. to -the thousands of home owners and other s who have b l‘c‘?“,‘rfli?“’ém whieh in the main thes homes are the basis that the mferenc; about Washington be ar- ied an fhat assurance of the co<..aued sound- ness cf Waskington real estate be g to them.” COMMUNITY BANKS PLANNED BY HEADS OF DEFUNCT CHAIN (Continued From First Page.) benk commissioner. and a o : r caid he and his sistant Mr. P said he and bh men were eng ed in listing the assets on hand. There can be no liquidation ror can any s-hedule of ssets aad lia- bilities be preg h~ said, ustil this completed. reorganization plans, persons affiliated with the parent bank pointed out that there are no other banking facilities in four towns where Central Trust branches closed their docrs yesterday. These communi- ties are Walkervilie, Monrovia, Pooles- ville and Smichsburg. Sentiment Sought. nis situation in mind, the @i- Central T:ust Co. me of dividing the o struzture £o that new < may b jormed to take over To In discus the ¢lhe did not believe m: nities affect L. Goblent, the bank's presi- dent. was said to be walting for some ~n from the p: 1'1'33-”\'3.,22 their banking facilities re- st-red before snncuncing his plans in his connection. R Cwes mot beleved. however, that concrete plan for reopening s under naw names udon until the State bank ¢ completes i T il be nece that the tion cf tituiion may ba @ finil known. It wes indicated thzt the bank commissioner’s studj yuire con- siderable tim s Security Part Watched. There was cODS; in the part to be zaticn by the Corporation, a subsidi company. Securities The securities corporation was form- ed shortly after the rearganization in Washington in 1928 of several so-called Wardman properties. More than $2 000.000 of Wardman junior debentures, which are about equivelent to third mortgage bonds, wer> i Coblentz at that t:me. The debentures were taken in licu of equities in the properties which existed prior to the reorganizetion, Those equitics protacted by second and, in some cases, third mortgages. After the securities corporation had been formed, the debentures were turned over to it by the bank. and, it was said today, they are still in its vaults. Many of these debentures, it was learned, are owned by individuals | here, and, in_view of the present coa- dition of the Wardman properties, they are regarded as virtually worthl Debentures Held Worthless. At least to this ext there will undoubtedly 2s a result of the bank's f It was pointed out, however, that even had the bank been able to keep going there would have been little cha vaging anything from the 2atures, It could net be learned whethier any of the bank’s funds are ti=d up f these sccurities, ‘The State officials exam- ining the bank’s records said they had not learned az ~ct whether any bonds or stocks, of the P. H. Smith Co. a w-amng'ucrpnnmn. are included among th ts now held by the bank. It is known that Mr. c.hln. had said, the | can be eredit- | besn eliminated | is of as- | ublic as to whether | the 1 ry of the trust: ued to Mr. | were | of brutality in third-degree methods and recommended that Orville Staples, ice Department three years ago, be restored to dutv with Fonca is a head clerk in the office of the auditor of disburse- disthissed from the Pol back pay. Mr. ments of the Southern Railway, where he has been employed for 29 years. is 44 years old, is married, has three children and lives at 740 Ninth street. He —Star Staff Photo. FLECTRICAL CHIF ~ FEDERATION HITS BEATEN AND SLAIN - POLICE BRUTALTY ‘Chicago Scheol Technician and Union Secretary Taken for “Rid2.” | By the Associated Pre: CHICAGO, September 4.—Mortimer P. Enright, chief electrician for the Beard of Education, was found shot and | beaten to death on the grounds of the York Colf Club, near Hinsdale, today. Enright left apartment yesterday to spend the week end with his wife |and child at their Summer home, in | Lakeside, Mich. The manager of the building saw him érive off in his auto- mobile with his valise and golf clubs. He had been shot five times and his head beaten. Enright, 38, had been chief electrician ! for the Sehool Board since 1924. He | was seerdtary of the Executive Com- mittee of the Brothcrhood of Electrical | Workers, Local 124, and attended a | | union meeting last night. { | Paljee caid he probably was kidnaped, j2s hi§ course to Lakeside would have | {led Lim southeast eround Lake Mick- | i stead of west to Hinsdale. Sixty s were found on his body, dis- ing the theory of robbery. Offi- | cials of the electrizal union szid En- | right was not involved in trouble with cther members and that last night's meeting ran smcothly. ILIGHTS IN BAY MAY BE FROM NAUTILUS AIR SEARCH UNDER WAY (Continued From First Page.) ture the terrible fate which might over- !take them if the Nautilus should be | trapped under the ice, or if they were | forced t> land on a floating icepack. Witsless ex ve inclined to | doubt, the L v of signals which the Norwegian whaler pioncer and the steamer Ingertre picked up several days ago under the impression they came from the radio operitor of the subma- rine. The government today ordered the Fridtjof Nansen, ice-breaker and Coast Guard_ship. to proceed immediately i from Harstad to Spitzbergen and be ready to search for the Nautilus on | short notice. The ship. built thi : | | i i \ if of 1.500 tons and has a crew Experts said it would be difficult 1 for the Nautilus because the sub- | marine's exact position never has b: i given. v |~ Capt. Riiser Larsen hid two flying | boats teady and said he could b2 at | Spitzbergen within two days, whereas a | steamer would take eight days. the difficultics of reconnoitering over the ice insurmount- able, but rescue work would have to be completed before Winter sets in, at the end of September. As now planned, the Fridtjof Nansen is to call at Tromsoe. to which poin: :pt. Larsen will fly from Bergen with two planes. The ship is to tak> the planes and their two pilots aboard and steam for Spitzborgen, where a search by air would begin. Personally, 1 do not for anxiety belicve there is Capt. Larsen lence may be e's divin: e been so sne-es: st Wilkins decided to continue, , thus leaving no cpportunity for tele- | eraphing.” Capt. Osear Wisting, who was Ro1d | Amundsen's second in command on Po- 2r expeditions, said the situation “looks prave, but that does not mean that any- | thing’ wrong has happene business dealings with G. Bryan Pitts, former chairman of the Smith Co. Board of Directors. The Maryland banker, however, has publicly stated that his bank was in no way :nvolved in these negotiations. Citizens of this community today manifestcd no intarest in the failure of the .bank. A smaill crowd collected {around the inst‘tution yesterday morn- ing, but no one wzs at the bank this | morning when the State officials | ertered to resume their work. A single policeman, who stood guard in front of the bank yesterday, mounted his motoreycle and rode away this morning, waste any more time around here.” The opinion was frequently expressed that the depesitors would eventually get back all of the money they had int:usted to the baak. There was con- riderable be! holders in the institution were facing a considersb’e lcss. i The lo:al bank and its 11 branches iclosed yesterday, with Mr. Coblentz {blaming th2 bu-iness depression and i ble pub’ y he hingten for the failure. Cobleniz | is now? under indictment in Washingion jon a charge of “aiding in the commis- | n of perjusy.’ ‘The banks held about $14.000,000 in depasits, and, accerding to its last financial statement, controlled assets in excess of $18,000.000. It was the largest banking institution in this part of the State and had been in operation since 1808. - - ece be ' L. Gammell, chairman of the federa- ! Protection. { favor of the resolution as it stood, and announcing that he “wds not going to | 1, however, that the sto~k- has received | Adopts Strong Resolution De- | ploring Us2 of “Third Degree” Methods. The Federation of Citizens' Associa- tions in a strong resolution last night deplored the use of “third degree” methods by police, and commended the action of Commissioners Luther H Reichelderfer and Herb2:t Crosby in asking and supporting an impartial in- quiry into charges that certain members of the department are guilty of suchl practices. The resolution, which thanked Presi- | dent Hoover for extending the services ; of the Justice Department in the in- | vestigation, was introduced by Joseph | | | tion's Committee on Police and Fire re | Several delegates spoke in it passed without the change of a word. Banker Expresses Confidence. B. Agee Bowles, Georgetown banker and vice president of federation, said that although he ld vote for the resolution and hoj that the vote would be unanimcus, he hoped the ac- tion would not ba taken as any reflec- tion on the Police Department, in which h~ had impiicit confidence. : “Tt my underst'nding.” he said. “that there are 1.288 men doing police work cn the street. and that these charges involve four men. That works out at less than three-tenths of 1 per cent of the strength of the force ac- cused of this practice. It is a sad thing an unfortunate thing, that the action of these four men should cast a shadew >f suspicion over the force that no thinking third-degree practices for a moment. It is a cowardiy thing The policemin who maltreats a pris- oner is taking advantage of his help lessnes man | e | | ““Nevertheless the pol where they nced to use some Take this recent case from Clarksburg There was a man who had deliberately lured women and children into a au- rage. forced them to give him their property and killed them. I have no knowledge of this cese, but I say un- doubtediy the police there handled him roughly in ord-r to secure the confe and that nobody would object to 1 J. C. Fatter asked Mr. Bowles if he wis talking from personal experience or from hearsay “Do 1 look as if T were talking from experien Bowles retorted in- dignant] Mr. Rit.er s°id efter the meeting that | he had be-n fo'lowng the activities of Wachington po ice for 25 years, and that he had “a lot of stuff to spill.” which he premised he would do at the ap- propi > time. He said his anger had been aroused by Mr. Bowles' statement “ct the third degr-e was confined to less than 1 per cent of the force. One Delegate Votes “No.” When the resolution came to the vote, it was expected to pass unani- moucly, but a sing'e unidentified dele on the rast side of the ha'l voted “No. The resolution, in full text, follows: “Wheveas, certain_riembers of the Metiopoliian Police Departm nt of th have bean publicly “third s, the citi 2 opposad to the brutal treatment | of prisoncrs by police officers and others, and “Whereas, in the absence of the Com- missioner in charge of police affairs, the president of the Board of District Commissioners, Dr. Luther H. Reichel- derfer; the corporation counsel of the District of Cclumbia, William W. Bride, and the major and superiniendent of police, Maj. Henry G. Pratt, immedi- ately upon learning of the so-called ‘Harker c-sa,’ took prompt action to- ward ridding the Police Departmert cf all persons responsible for outrages of this character; and Cresby Approves Action. “Whereas, upon his return to the city, Maj, Gen. Herbert B. Crosby not only approved of the action that had ‘alre:dy been taken by thz aforemen- tioned officials toward stamping out so- cailed ‘third-degree’ methods from the Police Department, but immediately in- jected himse!f into the inquiry with a view to having the matter cleared up at the earliest practicable moment, “New, therefcre, be it “Resolved, by the Pederation of Citi- zens Associations of the District of Co- lumbia, in special meeting assembled this 3d day of September, 1931, that the { ful rnd t jury upon this os an administrative matter jit was said, based on the findings of | compel several members of the grand | semi-weekly board mecting this morn- that the cloud of suspicion that has hovered over me since my unwarranted | dismissal from the force has at last been removed. “At the time of my trial before the Police Trial Board I contended that the proper place for the investigation of the trumped-up charges against me was before a grand jury, but those in | charge at the time did not see fit to make an impartial inquiry, which was impossible before a prejudiced board of police cfficials. Now, after three years. that impartial investigation has been made and I have been completely vindicated.” Commissioners Reticent. Informed of the findings of the grand jury in the Staples case the District | Commissicners appeared gravely con- cerned over the recommendations and the excoriation of the police officors involved, but declined to make an: comment pending receipt of an official copy of the report. Maj. Henry G Pratt, superintendent of police, like- wise was lent. Maj. Gen. Herbert B. Crosby. Com- missioner in charge of the Police De- partment, declared, however, that care- deliberate consideration would given the report and its recommen- Staples cannot be reinstated withcut action of the Commissioners, and there indication from them whether se to follow the grand jury’s recommendations. Legal experts at the District Building pointed out that there is no statute compelling the Commis- to act on a report of a grand and that the recommendstions can be ignored. although there is no disposition on the part of these officials to do so. | Mostyn” | using the “sd | dent. | charged that they “did un | charged | alone, Policen 'en Laflin, Burrough and Grooms |. “with #, ree and arms in and upon one James T feloniou:\ 7 and unlawfully did make & assault w§ ha certain dangerous weapon, to wit, a yniece of rubber hose, in the right hand of him, the said James A and that the four officers, d dangerous weapon, then and there fel\ Mously and unlawfuily did strike, beat, bydise and wound the said James H. Harka * . . . against the peace and GovernmerX of the United States.” A seeond coun® in the Harker case declared that theé® four policemen “then and there, with ) eir hands, did beat,| inflict other wound and ill treat and Wrongs and injuries\ upon” Harker. Allege Johnsen', Was Beaten. The grand jurors a: Jolinton was attac X Laflin on the day of t\* The indictment 2 by Mostyn and Harker inci- inst this pair awfully make an assault” and “with \their hands did beat, wound and fll-trx t” Johnson and commit “other wrong and in- juries.” Johnson first told his story to a Star reporter and the \invesusl- tion followed Preston Brooks, the third ind ‘ctment was assauited by i 10styn also that day. The deh ctive it is charged, “with his hands beat, wound and ill-treat” Brooks. Two counts wcre handed GaWwn against Policeman Perry. The fiy it charges that _ersy “feloniously ary’ unlawfully did make an assault witi a certan dangerous weapon, to wit a wooden club” and that he used the club to “strike, beat. bruise and wound the said John F. Miller.” The second count charged that Perry “did unlawfully make zn assault” { on Miller and “with his hands did beat, Information to Be Sought. Failing to name the officers involved in the Staples case, which the grand jury recommends for_severe reprimand has placed on the Commissioners the burden of escertaining this informa- n. The names, however. it was said, re in the transcript of the proceedings before the Police Trial Board during the trial of Staplcs. According to police officials only two men remain on the force who were in any way connected with the Staples | case. One of these was said to be Inspector Louls J. Stoll, who investigat- ed the charges against Staples, and the other is Hunt, whom the grand| reccmmends for dismissal. Two former captains, Guy E. Burlingame | and C. P. M. Lord. who served on the Staples Trial Board, are no longer con- nected with the force, having been re- tired since removal of Staples. There were indications at the Dis- trict Building that whatever action i< taken with respect to the recommended dismiscal of Hunt would be left entirclv to Mai. ‘Pratt. District officials loo and it been their policy not to in- terfere with police administrative de- tails. Trial Before Dismissal. It was pointed out, however, that Hunt cannot be summarily dismissed, but that he will have to be tried and found guilty on charges before the Commissioners can remove him. This will necessitay® a delay in acting on the grand jufv recommendations and also involve. it is believed, a virtual rehearing of the Staples case. Charges can be drawn against Hunt, the erand iury, which accused the po- liceman of Securing false affidavit giving false testimony and accomnlish- ing the perjured testimony of others. It would be necessary in such an event. it was explained, to call members of the grand jury as witnesses at the trial, and District officials recalled the diffi- culty encountered two years ago when an effort was made to force reluctant members of the McPherson grand jury to appear at witnesses against Inspec. tor William S. Shelby and Capt. Ed- ward J. Kelly before an extraordinary Police Trial Board. At that time these two officers were on trial, charged with bungling the investigation of the death of Mrs. Virginia McPherson and the presecution found it necessary to hate the Police Court issue subnoenss to jury to testify. The Commissioners adjourned their ing at 11:45 o'clock, and Police Com- missioner Crosby left the District Build- ing shortly afterward and went into conferencé at police headquarters with Maj. Henry G. Pratt, superintendent, and Inspector William S. Shelby, exec- utive officer. ‘The purpose of the conference was not disclosed, but there was no doubt that it concerned the double-barreled action of the grand jury in indicting | five members of the force and recom- | mending the reinstatement of Former Policeman Orville Staples. ANCESTRAL KING GEORGE MANSION IS PURCHASED Special Dispatch to The Star. FREDERICKSBURG, Va.,. Septem- ber 4.—The sale of Powhatan, ancestral King George County home of a branch of the Tayloe family since 1795, to Ray McMullen, wealthy New York en- gineer and bridge builder, was an- nounced today by Bladen T. Tayloe, owner of the old estate. John Tayloe, architect and builder of the Octagon House in Wash ngten, federation most heartily indorses the ion that has already been taken by thrse cfficils in this matter; and “Be it further resolved, That. the Federation of cm:%n's;‘lsfi;lo{;s i tends to the Presi nite States its hearty thanks for his prompt action in having the Department of Justice assign trained investigators to inquire into and repert upon the con- duct and management of the Police De- partment of the Nations Capital, sad “Be it further resolved, That, a copy of these it to the Eresident of the o the erected Powhatan for one of his sons,, from whom the present occupants of the house are descended. The famous Colonial builder also designed Mount Alry, in Richmond County, and other beautiful houses. president of the Board of District Com- missioners, 1? n;!e lrfflm':hmlm" in charge of police affairs, e corpora- '.w;"clmnupl of the District of Colum- bia and to the major and superintendent of police.” l I the | b | merou | admitting that Harker had be wound and ill-treat” Miller. Housebreaking Charged Ignored. ‘The and jury, at the same time, ignored charges of housebreaking and theft lodged against Harker by polce, following his alleged forced confession nearly two weeks 2go. brought before the grand jury on the burglary charges more than n weel before he was called to testify against | his police accusers. Conviction Carries 10 Years, The charges against Mostyn, Laflin, | Burroughs and Grooms in the Harker | case carry with them. on conviction. maximum’ sentences of 10 vears in the penitentiary. The charge against Policeman Perry also is rated as a felony and would subject an offender. if ccnvicted. to possible imprisonment for 10 years. The charges against Mostyn and Laflin in the other two coses involved “simple assault.” con- viction of which would mean a possible penalty of not more than one year m prison. ¥ Harker Charge Brought Probe. The third degree inquiry resulted cm the airing of brutality charges against first precinct police by Harker and his attorney, S. McCom"s Hawken. Harker wes arrested as - suspect in a burglary casz and taken to the first pre- cinct station hous» ab-ut 3 o'clock in morning. He w:s released late the next night in custedy of the attorney. Ha ker premptly charged that he had n beat'n and otherwise coerced into, a confession. Dr. H. Watson Mcffett was called to examine the young man and found he was suffer.ng with a badly bruised and swollen loft eye and,nu- bruises and welts on_the body Press photographs showing these hurts wera exhibited t) the grand jury. Tke furore caused by Harker's charges czused Maj. Pratt to direct Inspector Stoll to make an investigation. At this time it was not generaily known that Inspector Stoll had been in the office of Capt. Holmes, precinct c-mmander, about the time of the alloged beating. Took Written Statements. Inspector Stoll took written state- ments from cach of the policemen ac-| cused by Harker and also from =all other officers attached to the precinct. | It is understood the grand jury was ad- vised that Stoll did not question any of these policemen p ly, but asked Capt. Hoimes to have his men prepare siatoment Stoll presented to Maj. Pratt a report 0 badly beaten either just before or subsequent to his arrest. ' He inclosed the written police statements, all of them denying any knowledge of the attack on Harker or of any third-degree practices what- cver, but recommended that four po licemen be suspended. -Maj. Pratt sus pended the four accused policemen pending “further investigation.” Reichelderfer Takes Hand. The probe aroused Dr. Luther H. Reichelderfer, president of the Board of Commissioners, and W. W. Bride, cor- poration counse!, who went to the Whit> Housz and appealed to Presidens Hoover for Federal assistance in going to the om_of the third-degree charges. he President arranged for them to confer with Acting Attorney General Thacher. Following a conference with Thacher and Director Hoover of the Bureau of Investigation, Thacher announced that the Department of Justice would launch an immediate and “vigorous” investi- gation. Director Hoover assigned Inspector Keith, supervising the local district, to have. charge of the Federal inquiry. Keith put all his-agents to work on the cas:, and Hoover called in several agents from out of town—among th°m Gus Jones, agent in charge of the San Antonio field office of the burezu. Scores of Witnesses Questioned. Scores of witnesses were questioned by the sgents during their intensive night-2nd-day operations. Attention £t the outset was centered on the Harker case and on four other cases involvng the same group of po'icemen. The po- licemen named by the complainants were invited -to tell their side of the case, but declined the opportunity on advice of counsel. ts made & Special Government pe“n-nkflin tion house and Harker, then and there being, | ged that Walter | did | Harker was | WILLIAM T. BURROUGHS. Staples Can Claim $7.000 Back Wage If He Is Restored Pinancial experts at the Dis. trict Building calculated today that Former Policeman Orville Staples will be in a position to lay claim to an accumulated salerv of spproximately $7,000 if the District Commissioners fol- low the recommendations of the grand jury and reinstate him to - his former position as of the date of dismissal, May 22, 1928. Staples received an annus ary of $2,000 at the removal. Police salaries creased last year, and had Staples becn on the force at the time his salary would have auto- matically Jumped to $2,400. Even if Staples is reinstated, it s2id, he would have consider- trouble in collecting the because the District can- not pay him without special legis- lation of Congress. Appropria- tions are avallable only for serv- ice renderes. it was explained, which prohibits the District from paying any claim thai Staples may mak>, out of appropriated @ 2venues, as he was not actually A the service, and his status is ¢ ¢idered as that of a dismissed el fA'ere a leather whip, a sledge J>andle and stains on the flo blood spats. The artic :at>d #nd the spots were | scraped an 4 atalyzed by chemists. The ists v. W e unable to say whether the stains Were caused by blood or some other 'qlid The agents § 50 Were given a piece of | rubber hose wi%'h had been found un- i an alley adjo:ning the \lere was nothing to prove that t| the same hose with which Harker 7ed he had been beaten and which a\ 2oliceman had tes- tified in court to 1Y ving seen in the siet'on houwe somel time prior to | Harker’s arrest Police Officers LW erviewod. ‘The Justice investigid s questioned all the policemen who hd1 made state- ments for Inspector Stoll, and also in- terviewed Stoil and Capt. eral of the policemen are S id to have ‘amended” their original ,statements under rigorous quizzing. Tha'e police- | men were subpoenaed to tesi\ v before the grand juy, but their testin\ony ap- parently was regarded as unne essary. The grand jury proceedings began Wednesday, foliowing return to th: city of District Attorney Rover and h\' an- | | nouncement that he would prose ‘ute the cases personally. Previcusly & ore| had been rumors that Rover would a sk for a special prosecutor. The grand jury disposed of the fize cases with remavkable celerity. A though mo.e than 100 witnesses wer summened, only a third of them were called to testify. Thes> included Harker, | members of his family, his phy-ician, his lawyer snd pers-ns who saw him | just before his arrest and after his re- leas>. i The grand jury's presentment today | is said to be “just a beginning” in its | investigation of the third degree in the | Nat'on's Capital. The inquisitorial bady is known to be desirous of determining whetirer the third degree, as a system, exists in the police department as a | whle. Furiher grand jury action will await additional reports from ths: Department of Justice, which is proceeding with the investigation of approximately 25 more caces of allged police cruelty. If any ot these cases develop to a point war- |ranting crimir.' procedure Rover will ! present them promptly to the grand jury. |~ When the Government's inquiry has been completed a general repert prob- ably will be sent to th* grand jury, on | which that body may base a final re- | port to the court on the third degree | in Washington. | le | mone; b { | found station house. “olmes. Sev- | | 'MRS. JOSEPHINE GRAY BURIED IN ARLINGTON Funeral Services for Wife of Army Officer Held in Chapel at Fort Myer. Officers and retired officers of the , Unted States Army served as pallbear- | érs yesterday at the funeral of Mrs. | Jesephine Drew Gray, wife of Col. Alonzo Gray, U. S. A, retired, who died Tuesday at her home, 4131 Harrison i street. The services were held in the chapel at Fort Myer, Va. with burial in_Arlington National Cemetery. Pallbearers included Maj. Gen. Charles D. Rhodes, U. 8. A, retired: Brig. Gen. Nathaniel F. McClure, U. S. A, retired; Col. Irvin L. Hunt, U. 8. A.; Col. John B. Shuman, Adju- tant Generals Department, U. S. A.: Col. Albert E. Saxton, U. 8. A,, retired, and Lieut. <ol Edward F. Geddings, U. S. A, retired. S Libraries Close Labor Day. ‘The Public Library and all its branches and subbranches will be closed all day Monday, Labor day. it was an- nounced today by Dr. George F. Bower- r&ln. librarian. The libraries will close said, and remain closed until 9 o'clock Tuesday morning. | Mrs. Benson, and Dr. Joel . Boone, the WILLIAM R. LAFLIN, GEORGE E. PERRY. FRANCE BESTOWS HIGHEST DECORATION ON MAYOR WALKER, (Continued From First Page.) point where we would be able to do cffective work.” | TRIP INVESTIGATED. Committce Inquires About Financial | Arrangements on Bremen. NEW YORK., September 4 () —Some phases of Mayor Walker's trip to Europe were under scrutiny today by the legis- lative committee which is invest.gating |, the city gove Heinrich tor cf the No was questioned for day by assistants to S the committ: counsel. asked about finencial er the trip on the ste: what pait was pla who is eccciapanying Walker in Europs. Maicr once served time in Sing Sing | for bribery, News of the inquiry into Walker's | trip cn the Biemen ceme after Seabu had commented on the absence of R sell T. Sherwood, Mayor Walker's book- keeper. Seabury tried to serve a sub-| poena cn Sherwood to question him about scme transactions he m:de for Mayor Walke; “It is en suspicious e <h Sea ernment. | uengle, resident direc- | raordinary as vl as a umstance thet Sherwood | tion of the State.” i od left a hotel in ic City Sunday. bury s:id he was considering vari- ous means for compelling Sherwood to Aeturn to the committee's jurisdiction. Seabury took with him on a weck-end vis 't to his East Hampton home a mass of \dat: cbtained by his assistants re- | cem\'v, such as testimony of Edward F. Croly 7 -and Chazles F. Murphy. ir., on theirt insurence business (their uncles, now wead. were once Tammeny Hali leade's) ond tostimony of speakeasy proprizirs 8§ to payments for pro- ucticn.\\ LEAVES FOR RAPIDAN President, ‘\Ac: Hoover, Plix's Quiet Week End. th| ompanied by Mrs. Accompanied \by Mrs. Hoover. Presicent will 1A ve during the afi noon for anotger quiet cek end at his camp on the Rapidan, returning to the White House Monday morning. Secreiary of Comanerce Lamont was the only official 2o be" a guest over the week end. The otha' gubsts will in- clude Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Newton, Henry M. Robinson, Los .Angeles banke who is an old friend of the President’s; George Bencon, Washington correspond- | ent of the Minneapolis Journal, and| President’s physiclan. By DRINKING TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE IS CURBED BY DRY DIRECYTOR| ___(Continued From First Page.) against certain types of speakeasies,” | Woodcock eaid, “the method of imme- diate arrest after purchase. This met od is certain and direct. It eliminates the necessity for consuming intoxicat ing liquor.and if followed by careful investigation should lead to the di closure of the real parties in interest.” ‘The Federal dry chief reported to his force of agents and administrators that “we are s'owly winning this fight against the commercial trafficker in intoxicating liguer.” ‘Woodcozk said his letter was directed entirely toward elimination of the speakea~y. He said he believed it much bettcr, however, to “stop the .suflply of intoxicants to the speakeasy than to proceed directly egainst it.” He rec- ommended thet when this method was impractical agents should keep in mind that “the best way to crush it is by 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, it was | the injuncticn.” 'He added each agent ; Waltz so regard every speakeasy a8 & should reg o e { weapon. | they were beaten severely. | was moral purps | Latham Broo the victim. The shooting took place at 247 Twelfth place northwest. A manslaughter indictment was re- turned against Paul Leslie Blackmer, 7059 Blair road. whose automobile fa- tally injured 8-year-old Carter Downing, 520 Rittenhouse street in a ccllision with the Downing machine August 11 t Fifth and Rittenhouse streets. The child’s father, Webster Downing, a pat- ent attorney, was driving his car. __William H. Gordon, alias Jordan, and Thomes King were pamed on - two charges of assault with-a dangerous They are accused of using a biackjack and a lead pipe in attacking William F. Dermott and Howell R. Bouldin in’ revenge for supposed mis- treatment of Mrs. Ann Sparks, a friend of Gordon, Mrs. Sparks died at Sibley Hogpital recently from injuries received when :he jumped from an automobile in Maryland into the path of another ma- chine. Dermott and Bouldin claimed they were kidnaped by Gordon and King and taken to a garage in the rear of 1832 Calvert street, where, they said, e £ . 14 Beparate in- ments charge assaults on Dermot and Bouldin. i A charge of shooting William M. Tay- ior, an employe of the Salvation Army, made in an indictment cgainst Robert E. Turner for an ass2ult with a Gengerous weapon. The men were in a cispute July 7 over the obstruction of «n aileyway by a truck of the Salvation Army, Held for Mann Act. Three indictments cherging violetion: of the Mann act were reporsd agant Walter R. Roberts and his wife, Dru'in They ere accused of tra. 1" young women from Ma Ot indicted them include % n Gerald Cramer, intent to commit carnal cases: Henry Williomsé tent to commit carnal iam Alexander P Coleman, assaul weapen: Harry W. Stephans, oi: ment and forgery; Charles Mer.i Charles Martino. alias Edgar D. jones, forgery, two cases: Vincent alias Vincent W/ and uttering: G. Harold alias Brian Kent, false pretenses. cases; Leonard Dean, alias Deen: Clyde Lincoln Foid, Robert Goodwin, ‘Covan Prester and James ]vsmtfn‘;!clii rard larceny; Leroy Doug- an nry Jackson, gran ny and joy-riding. S Danicl Childs (2 cases). Victor Cor- tinere. John Circich, Arthur Lee Da- vis. Robert Lewis Davis, Clifton Ar- thur Hall, Harry Brown Jerrid, Arthur Johnston, Francis Edward Johnson, t Ecward | William Carter Jones, Will Wilks, Fred- erick Carl Russell, Grant Maurice ardson. Charles Ashton, Albert Smit arence White. William Ernest Pice, ett Todd. Henry Brown and James, joyriding: James A. Baker and rge Roy Stevenson, alias Roy Felds, grana larceny, larceny after trust: John Moses Brown, Rot Burns, Leonard Dean, alias Edward Dean: Clyde Lincoln Ford, William Carter Jones. Will Wilks, Frederick Carl Russell. William Howard Long. John William Hickey. Eugene Mothersiead George 'W. McGaha, Thomas E. Redmond, K Morgan, house- breaking and lerceny (two cases) Waltor Wallace Smith _housebreaking and larceny: Benny Simms, houses breaking; ~Warren _Dixon. W.lliam Clinion Robmnson. Leonard A. La ton (each two cases) and Lawyer Thomas, robbery: Clyde William Marsh, Elias Palmer (alias’ Kid Palmer) and Beverly Peterson, forgery: Ernest Clif- ton Meyers, violation national prohibi- tion act; Dwight Oliver W. Holmes, Teceiving stolen property: Stave Jastic 2nd Sigmund Rogodzinski (alias Zigmie Rogodzinski, alias Ziggi> Rogers, alias John Smith), violation national motor vehicle theft act; William F. Clarkson, John Joseph Fowler, George La May, Franklin_Ford Thompson. Augustus Phalen O'Neal, Albert W. Wyrick and George S. Krippenstael, non-support of family; Sherman R. Evans and Thomas Joscph Carney, robdery; Walter C. Hol- ston, forgery. The 21 persons exonerated by the ¥ : John Joscph Shee- ult with inteat to commit ear- ral knowledge: Lewis joanzon, Eugene Brown, Rob-ri ~Carter 25 _Sheep Trapper; George C. Palmer and Thomas King, assault with dangerous weapon: Frederick B. Austin, Albert Matthews and Lewis Rouse, grand larceny; Joseph Nicholson _and Francis Webb, house- breaking: Robert Coleman, Sylvester M. Langford, Henry C. Proctor, Earl Tol- liver and Joseph Nocente, joy riding; Howard Sheron Kaylor, larceny after trust; Thomas Weodstock, Fred Spasaro and Bruno Crispairoo, violations of na- tional prohibition act: Woodward Wilson Abbott, perjury in_securing marriage license, and James Howar, rape. Indian Viceroy Is TIL. SIMLA. India. September 4 () — Viceroy Lord Willingdon, suffering frem a slight attack of dysentery, has been ordered by his physician to go to Dehradun for 10 days of complete rest. Lord Willingdon has said the duties of his new office were almost too strenu- ous for a man of his years. He is 65. - o \ BAND CONCERT. By the Ccmmunity Cent Band a% the Sylvan Theater, Monument Grounds. this evening, at 7:30 o'clock; James Miller, cirector. Program: March, “Messenger' .Barnhouse Waliz, “Springtime”. ...Jarrett One-step, selected. Sele , “Songs From the Old Lake Folks Voc} solo, “Witen Your Hair Has Turaed to Silver Tobies By Cheste son. “Indian Princess”......Kirg “I_Surrender, Clifford and Barris By Chandler. “Adoration” . “Good Night underer”. Overtune, Song, wocal solo, * Dear” .. . Selection March.